Development and test of a miniaturized fiber-optic gyroscope

A fiber-optic rotation rate sensor, based on the Sagnac effect, as a replacement for mechanical gyros in inertial navigation systems was developed. Four different laboratory models of a fiber gyro were developed. With a miniaturized version a sensitivity in the 1 deg/hr range is achieved. Optical components technology was investigated to provide the basis for the size reduction. It is demonstrated that the fiber gyro has the potential to become a rugged, maintenance-free, all-solid state strapdown sensor.